Jennifer Huston Schaeffer’s Mommy’s Boy is a heartfelt memoir about love, loss, and healing through the unwavering companionship of a dog. At its core, it’s a story about finding solace in an unexpected place, through a scruffy little rescue dog named Benny. Through the ups and downs of heartbreak, personal struggles, and self-discovery, Schaeffer delivers a moving narrative that dog lovers, and anyone who’s ever found comfort in an animal’s presence, will deeply relate to. The book follows her journey from childhood pet bonds to a mid-life realization that the truest love she’d ever known came not from relationships with men, but from the love of her four-legged soulmate.

Schaeffer doesn’t shy away from vulnerability, whether it’s reliving the ache of a bad breakup, the loneliness creeping into her forties, or the frustration of the grueling dog adoption process. The chapter “Fortysomething Woman Seeks Four-Legged Soulmate” was both hilarious and painfully relatable, as she details rejection after rejection from dog rescues that deemed her unfit simply because she had a full-time job. The way she lays it all out, no sugarcoating, no pretentiousness makes her easy to root for. When she finally finds Benny (formerly “Boo”), it’s impossible not to feel an overwhelming sense of joy and relief.

Schaeffer has a gift for capturing the tiny but powerful moments of life, the kind that make up love, loss, and growth. One of the most touching aspects of the book is the way she illustrates Benny’s impact on her world. It’s not just about cuddles and companionship; it’s about how he pulled her out of darkness, gave her purpose, and, in a way, saved her from herself. “He ignited a spark in my heart that had been dormant for years,” she writes, describing how her world shifted from grayscale to full color when Benny came into her life. The chapter “Mommy’s Secret” is a standout, where she acknowledges that while society often expects women to find fulfillment through romance and motherhood, her greatest love story was unfolding with a little white dog.

But Mommy’s Boy isn’t just a feel-good dog book; it’s raw, emotional, and sometimes devastating. The later chapters, particularly “A New Diagnosis and Two Crushing Losses,” hit hard. Schaeffer doesn’t hold back on the realities of pet parenthood, the looming dread of eventual loss, the helplessness of seeing a beloved companion in pain. It’s impossible to read without a lump forming in your throat. At times, I had to pause just to absorb the weight of it. The book perfectly captures the paradox of pet love: knowing from the start that they will break your heart someday, yet loving them with everything you have anyway.

Mommy’s Boy is an absolute must-read for dog lovers, but it’s more than just a pet memoir. It’s for anyone who’s ever rebuilt themselves after heartbreak, found love in unexpected places, or realized that sometimes, the best relationships aren’t the ones we’re conditioned to chase. It’s a book that makes you laugh, cry, and maybe even hug your dog a little tighter. If you’ve ever known the kind of love that only a dog can give, this book will feel like home.